Spoke of “_Civil service in Prison_.”
A deplorable evil was the constant changes in prison management for
political reasons, it was an evil which had to be eliminated. Mentioned
several instances, where prisons were entirely under civil service rule
with very satisfactory results.
Recreation and privileges as aid to prison discipline was freely and
favorably discussed.
The food problem in prisons was discussed. This being a wardens’
meeting, the wardens of almost every penitentiary in the country
(including our warden of the Eastern Penitentiary) told briefly what
food was given to the inmates of their prison. The cost ranged from
7-1/2 cents to 10 cents for each prisoner, average was 9 cents.
It was also agreed that a prison orchestra could do much good in a
prison. A music hour was also advocated, during which every prisoner
should be allowed to play whatever instrument he chose in his cell.
* * * * *
George Scheidler, warden of Northern Indiana State Prison, said he had
found that the improvement of prison food had done much to establish
confidence between prisoners and officials. He said Indiana supplied
food baked, roasted, stewed, etc., and that the menu is changed every
day.